Can I preserve wi-fi drivers with alternate ISO upgrade?

[anotherChris]

I'm running 11.10 and would like to install 15.10, but if I do a completely new install from the LiveDVD, I need to get new wi-fi drivers. This is a problem for me because I'm new to Ubuntu, in a foreign country with no support, and have only my wi-fi connection to the Internet (no cabled connection available).

If I understand correctly, I can upgrade to 15.10 without doing a completely new install by using a LiveDVD with the alternate install image rather than the desktop install image.

With the alternate install LiveDVD, can I upgrade directly from 11.10 to 15.10, and (most importantly) will this upgrade preserve my current wi-fi drivers?

I think the answer is "no, the wi-fi drivers are specific to the OS release," but I wanted to double-check. Thanks.

[sammiev]

Hi Chris,

Your best to download the ISO you want to try and install it to a USB/DVD and try it live. The wi-fi may just work.

Usually upgrades will preserve current wi-fi drivers.

Your best bet would likely be 14.04LTS ( Long Term Version ) but try 15.10 as well.

[anotherChris]

I already tried the LiveDVD boot with 15.10, and the wi-fi doesn't work. At https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/bcm43xx, it mentions separate firmware for 12.04 and 14.04 releases, and at https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/b43-fwcutter, it lists different fw-cutter packages for 14.04,15.04, and 15.10. That's why I think I need new drivers even if I upgrade.

Unfortunately, while I can try a LiveDVD, I can't test upgrading vs. a fresh install, so I don't really know if upgrading can preserve my wi-fi unless somebody tells me.

I just tried a LiveDVD boot with 14.04.3 LTS, too. It doesn't have wi-fi either.

[Vladlenin5000]

In any scenario you'll have to install drivers for WiFi and for that an alternative internet connection, preferably by Ethernet cable, is highly recommended. Not strictly necessary but you'll have a really hard time without it.
Anyway, what you SHOULDN'T be running is an outdated release - 11.10 - for which you CAN'T install anything because it reached its end of life (and support) years ago.

[anotherChris]

In any scenario you'll have to install drivers for WiFi and for that an alternative internet connection, preferably by Ethernet cable, is highly recommended. Not strictly necessary but you'll have a really hard time without it.
Anyway, what you SHOULDN'T be running is an outdated release - 11.10 - for which you CAN'T install anything because it reached its end of life (and support) years ago.

Yes. I held on for a long time. It was very fast, and I never had problems until this last year. Now I'm on 15.10 and everything is great. Thanks!

[Vladlenin5000]

You're welcome :-)
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